Page 34 of Highballs & Hexes

If Noah couldn’t find Fi, he could scry for Tadhg. Wherever he was, Fi was sure to end up. A more relentless person than Fionola Bohannon never existed.

“You can tell Bridget I’m grand. But I’ve work to do, so if you don’t mind, take the wine and go.”

“Wow. You’d think someone who owns a public establishment would be a little friendlier to their patrons.” Without seeming to care he was in a rush, she sipped her drink and set it on the table. Then she leaned over and began examining the map. “Would you like my help? My magic will amplify yours if we work together.”

As a loner with only a basic skillset, Noah had never participated in ceremonies other than for the initial learning. He’d seen how some people combined their abilities to achieve a goal, but he’d never dared be that close to someone. Merging magic spoke of familiarity he didn’t care for, and there was no telling what might happen if someone encountered his bound power.

But it was Fi. And he’d just sworn to himself he’d do whatever it took to find her.

“Were you the one who caused the light on the hill?” he asked, stalling for time and because he wanted to know.

GiGi dropped her friendly act, and her gaze was frank when it met his. “No. If I had to guess, it was an aborted teleport. Whose, I don’t know, but it can’t be good if someone was performing magic and got cut off.”

“Aye. I’d a similar thought.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he considered the problem. “It might’ve been Fi.”

“If it was, you need to find her right away.”

“Do you think I haven’t been trying?” He waved a hand toward the table’s surface, encompassing the entire contents. “Does it look like I’ve been sitting on me arse?”

GiGi laughed, and the musical sound grated on his last nerve.

“Come, Noah. I’ve a surefire way of finding your friend.” She finished the last of her wine and set it on the bar top. “But it’s not here.”

“I’ve somewhere to be in one hour.” As soon as he said it, he regretted it, because he’d ignore the Aether’s invitation in a second if it meant finding Fi.

“Oh, and where’s that?”

“The Dethr—” He stopped, silently cursing himself for almost giving away his connection to Damian. They bore too strong a resemblance for someone not to take note if he bandied the name around. Clearly he couldn’t say “brother’s house” either because he wasn’t feeling particularly familial in relation to his newfound family.

She studied him through narrowed eyes and nodded. “If I had to guess, I’d say, based on your coloring, that you’re related to Damian Dethridge or Sebastian Drake. And since I’m positive you intended to say Dethridge, I’d also venture you don’t want anyone to know about it.”

Noah’s brows slammed together, and he refused to answer. How the hell had she guessed what he intended to say? Fuck all if he wasn’t losing his touch.

Her smile was triumphant. “It speaks well of you to not put your family in danger, but Damian and the Thornes go way back. Where we’re going isn’t too far from Ravenswood.”

Ravenswood.

The family seat of the Dethridge family.Hisfamily if he chose to claim them. They certainly seemed willing to embrace him.

When Noah remained undecided, GiGi slipped a phone from the pocket of her flowy white pants.

“Damian, GiGi here.” She listened for a moment, then laughed. “Actually, I’m with your brother, Noah.”

“I didn’t tell ya we were brothers.” Taking a step back, Noah scowled at her. “Where?—”

She rolled her eyes and waved him off as if he were a pesky child. “Bridget,” she mouthed as she listened to whatever Damian was saying. “Yes, of course. I was about to take him to the Death Garden by the Drake estate. I thought the standing stones might give us the magical boost needed to find his lady love,” she said into the phone, offering Noah a wink in the process. “Right. We’ll meet you there in a few minutes. Ta!”

After disconnecting and slipping the phone back into her pocket, she held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Come, darling boy. We’ve got an appointment with the Aether.”

“I’m older than you,” Noah said dryly, placing his palm in hers.

“Really? Hmm. You’re remarkably well preserved.”

There was no time to retort, and the next thing he knew, he was standing in front of a tombstone etched with his mother’s name. His shock was great.

CHAPTER 16

Tadhg slammed his hands against the bars of his cell, frustrated he’d missed the opportunity to tell Fionola what had happened to him. Knowing her as he did, he had no doubt she’d called Patrick O’Malley to help find him and wound up in a world of trouble because of it.

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